SPORT CONSULTING SERVICES

Sport consultation adheres to the mission of ICA and to student-athlete personal, academic and athletic development. With these objectives, sport consultation takes into consideration the individual student-athlete and the various team personalities and issues that may arise, in order to enhance the overall student-athlete experience.

The objective of sport consultation is to share expertise with interested individuals so they can make informed decisions and formulate appropriate courses of action with regard to student-athlete's activities (Denson, 1996). Sport consulting professionals are interested in:

• helping athletes achieve optimal mind and body functioning to improve performance and
• understanding how participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity enhance personal development, health, and well-being throughout life

Role clarification and clear communication are important concepts when dealing with these issues. If multiple consultees or goals are involved, it is important for the sport consultant to be aware of possible conflict opportunities. The sport consultant may frequently need to restate the boundaries and definitions of his or her practice with the various consultees so the role does not become confused or jeopardized (Gabbard & Halischak, 1993).

The diversity and breadth of training and experience needed to adequately perform the duties of a psychologist/sport consultant on a large, multicultural university campus has its complications. There are undefined parameters and sensitive areas of responsibility that one needs to be aware of, understand and practice in order to provide beneficial service that is in the best interest of the student-athlete. For example, as a sport consultant, questions may arise such as: Who is the consultee? What is the goal of consultation? What are the expectations of consultation and of the sport consultant?

Sport consulting activities address topics such as:

• performance enhancement
• life skills
• coach, athlete, and team relationships
• eating disorders and disordered eating
• injury rehabilitation, and
• personal identity

Consultation with athletes and coaches is conducted in a wide variety of settings such as: individual meetings, small group discussions, team meetings, in hallways, walking between classes, in coaches offices, in the weight room, in stadium bleachers, in the locker room, and at the athletic venue (e.g., pool deck, basketball court, softball field, volleyball court). Sport consultation offers one-to-one consultation services to address athletic related issues such as performance enhancement, athletic identity development, communication, motivation, anxiety-reduction, athletic injury rehabilitation, and ending an athletic career.

Sport consultation provides psycho-educational groups to address issues such as: mind/body skill development, disordered eating or body image, stress management, injury rehabilitation, team cohesion and motivation. Group issues are addressed through interactive educational processes, open discussions, and interventions. Team presentations and workshops, offering a psychological perspective to enhance performance are also provided.

Sport consultation is also utilized to address ICA administration development opportunities. The sport consultant meets regularly with an associate athletic director to discuss departmental concerns, coaching concerns, extreme student-athlete concerns (i.e., coach-athlete conflicts, student-athlete legal issues, student-athlete judicial affairs issues, student-athlete drug/alcohol use and abuse, sexual misconduct) and programming opportunities. Through discussions with the associate athletic director, the sport consultant may consult with other campus departments to gather information, develop additional resources for student-athletes, or organize programming opportunities.

There are issues of sport consulting that are confidential and any questions about confidentiality are discussed during the first appointment and on an ongoing basis, as needed. Similar to psychological counseling, sport consulting abides by the same rules of confidentiality in accordance with professional psychology state laws and ethical standards. Individuals seeking consultation services must consent to the services provided and are given the option to release confidential information to other sources, if needed.

Sport consultation takes a comprehensive approach to problem/issue reduction and performance enhancement. Sport consultation often incorporates the collaboration of multiple campus departments and professionals to address the presented athletic related issue(s). Campus consultation may include: athletic trainers, Campus Alcohol and Drug Awareness Prevention Program coordinator, coaches, faculty athletic representative, ICA student services staff, judicial affairs, parents, psychological counselors, residence hall advisors, sports medicine, biomechanists, nutritionists, physiologists, and/or sport psychology faculty. Addressing the personal development of effective life skills, in addition to the student-athlete's athletic development requires the assistance and resources of various factors in the student-athlete's world. Thus, sport consultation may frequently refer to these valuable resources that influence the student-athlete.

Off-campus resources include the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP), Division 47 of the American Psychological Association, regional sport psychology professional affiliations, and psychologists and sport psychologists around the country. These resources provide collegial support and resources to enhance the sport consultant and performance enhancement practices on campus.

For appointments contact: Elizabeth Boyer, Ph.D. (530) 752-0871, emboyer@ucdavis.edu